This is to announce the Call for Capsule Concept Proposals for Cycle 5 of the Emerging Interdisciplinary Research (EIDR) Program. The guidelines and revised forms can be downloaded from the OVPAA website (ovpaa.up.edu.ph).

The deadline for submission of Capsule Concept Proposals is on 10 November2013. Please submit endorsed proposals through e-mail at [email protected].

The proposals will be evaluated based on the areas of priority and based on a general assessment of the research concept and strategy. Results of the evaluation will be released after 1-2 months and the concepts that make it to the first cut will be invited to submit the full proposal. The full proposal will be reviewed by external reviewers and will be sent back to proponents with the comments for improvement. The final full proposal will again be evaluated to determine which projects will be funded under the EIDR Program.

As described in the general guidelines on EIDR, there are two types of funding:

For interdisciplinary research programs: These should be led by program and project leaders with established track records, i.e., publications in the proposed areas of research. For each cycle, priority interdisciplinary research areas are identified (see below). The maximum fund awarded for an EIDR program consisting of four (4) projects is ~P10M/year (P2.5M/project). Inter-unit and inter-Constituent University (CU) collaborations, as well as foreign collaborations, are strongly encouraged. These programs are expected to produce ISI- or SCOPUS-listed publications and other high quality academic output, as well as education/learning and public dissemination materials, within the first year of the project, and every year thereafter.

For all UP faculty & researchers who completed their PhD or a postdoctoral training within the last 1-1/2 years: You are encouraged to submit a proposal as a single proponent, or with another new PhD as co-proponent. The proposal must be directly related to the dissertation/postdoctoral research and expertise of the proponent(s), e.g., data from the dissertation/postdoctoral research will be completed, and the project will produce an ISI- or SCOPUS-listed within the first year of the project, and every year thereafter. The maximum fund awarded for this type of grant is ~P2M/year.

Guidelines for Cycle 5

Please take note of the following guidelines for the planning of proposals to be submitted under EIDR Cycle 5:

focus on significant, measurable output that can be generated in 2 years (phase 1); funding for another 1-2 years (phase 2) can be pursued based on the results generated in phase 1.

with a reasonable budget suited to the proposed project, and following the EIDR guidelines for expenditures

involves interdisciplinary research – between closely related disciplines or across disciplines of the arts, humanities, education, social sciences, natural sciences and engineering

focus on quantitative, verifiable data/information, integrated with qualitative data/information, as a major basis, objective and result of the study

collaboration with researchers and creative workers in external local and foreign agencies, primarily leading foreign universities with whom UP has existing MOAs (Memorandum of Agreement) or MOUs (Memorandum of Understanding)

collaboration with researchers and creative workers in leading HEIs (Higher Education Institutions), SUCs (State Universities and Colleges) identified by CHED (Commission on Higher Education) and public service-oriented NGOs (non government organizations)/foundations in various regions of the country

inter-unit and inter-CU collaboration – collaboration within units in a UP CU and/or inter-CU and among UP CUs

should generate academic/scholarly publications and public dissemination materials: primers, popular articles, manuals, e-learning materials (audios, videos), press releases, etc., and policy/position papers, where applicable, to establish relevance to society, to government and industry

should contribute to the creation of research groups (critical mass); providing opportunity for financial support and mentoring of MS and PhD students

for output with commercial potential, proper IP (intellectual property) protection should be pursued

Priority research areas

The priority projects to be funded in Cycle 5 are:

A. PROGRAM/PROJECTS UNDER THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES:

1. PROJECTS TO STRENGTHEN PROOF OF CONCEPT (POC) AND CLAIMS OF EXISTING PATENTS AND PATENT APPLICATIONS OF UP TO IMPROVE PROSPECTS FOR TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

2. PERVASIVE, PROGRESSIVE, DYNAMIC PEDAGOGY

2.1 Development and testing of a library of constantly updated (dynamic) e-audio learning materials (supplemented by e-videos and powerpoint slides, interactive blogs, reading references, etc.), for a graduate degree program.

2.2. Development and testing of a graduate or an undergraduate course with the following features: team-teaching (teacher-buddy system), multiple activities, lectures/didactics, RTDs with active student participation, case studies, problem-solving, self-learning/self-directed research projects, experiential learning (laboratory & field work), research & creativity-enriched and updated content through e-learning (use of existing and newly developed audios and videos)

3.3 Innovation and enhancement of the arts through science and technology (S&T)

3.4 Culture and arts-based mass communication and public dissemination of knowledge–, S&T-based solutions to problems in society

4. DATA ANALYSIS & MODELLING OF COMPLEX DYNAMICAL SYSTEMS AS BASIS FOR SOCIAL AND INSTITUTIONAL CHANGE

5. POLICY AND ADVOCACY PAPERS

5.1 Science, research, creative work and innovation-oriented higher education policy for the country

5.2 Protection of the health, safety, rights and dignity of local and overseas Filipino workers; e.g., bpo workers, OFWs

5.3 Use of scientific evidence, e.g., DNA forensics, etc. in law enforcement for crimes against humanity and the environment

6. POVERTY ALLEVIATION: FAMILY AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

6.1 Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program of the DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development): Monitoring and evaluation research on one high priority area in health, education, family, children and youth (www.dswd.gov.ph).

7.1 Innovative, environment-friendly engineering design, process efficiency and feasibility study, and management plans to produce starting chemicals and other materials that are required to support local fertilizer, fine chemicals, polymers, plastics, packaging and petroleum and energy industries